One year later, new St Croix River bridge boosts Stillwater tourism, New Richmond housing — and Bayport traffic

“We’re going to get lunch at Leo’s,” said Sophie MacDonald, 14, as she walks down Main Street with her brother, Sylas, in Stillwater on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018. Since the new St. Croix River Bridge opened one year ago, traffic changes have altered the town. (Jean Pieri / Pioneer Press) “We’re here to eat lunch, shop a little, and entertain Caleb,” said Susan Thyen of Bloomington, as she looks around in Katydid’s women’s clothing store in Stillwater with her son, Caleb, and her mom, Donna Turnbom, of Andover, on Wednesday. (Jean Pieri / Pioneer Press) The Stillwater lift bridge is closed for renovations, but next spring it will open again — completing a unique two-state loop trail on the state’s newest bridge and one of its oldest. (Jean Pieri / Pioneer Press) A boat threads its way past construction at the Stillwater lift bridge. (Jean Pieri / Pioneer Press) Anita Butkiewicz, right, of Stillwater, brought her granddaughter, Bryn Murphy, 9, to see the one-year-old St. Croix River Bridge on Wednesday. Bryn used to live in Stillwater, but moved last year to Missoula with her family, and so she hadn’t seen the new bridge. (Jean Pieri / Pioneer Press) A bicyclist crosses the St. Croix River Bridge from the Wisconsin side to the Minnesota side on Wednesday. (Jean Pieri / Pioneer Press) Carrie Bowman, left, of Minnetonka, and Maryann Gapinski, of South St. Paul, look at clothing on Main Street after meeting friends for lunch at The Dock in Stillwater on… [Read full story]